Insurance adjusters investigate insurance claims in order to determine the legitimacy and value of claims and recommend settlements. Insurance adjusters are not licensed to practice law. There are three types of insurance adjusters:

• Company adjusters often referred to as simply the "insurance adjuster". They are employed by the insurance company.
• Independent adjusters work for various insurance companies as independent agents rather than as employees.
• Public adjusters work for policyholders rather than insurance companies. They negotiate with insurers on behalf of policyholders and receive a portion of a claims settlement.

In addition, there are law firms that represent policyholders. Representation may be based on a portion of a claims settlement, a fixed fee, or an hourly fee.